February 2012 meeting - Surrounded by books

Those who attended the February 2012 meeting on February 15 at Great Reads in Williamsford were surrounded by thousands of books. The total likely ranges between 60,000 and 65,000 books displayed from floor to ceiling on the second floor. In the restaurant area, there are also books to purchase.

After a brief meeting, Peter Bolton shared the story of the business and the Williamsford Mill. He and his wife Tamara purchased the property in 2006. There was much work to be done on the building to get to the point where they could open their restaurant and bookstore.

 The Mill was built between 1850 and 1854 by Adam Scott Elliott. It is located on the North Saugeen River. The power was used to grind grain for livestock feed. A community sprung up around the mill. While the Mill is in the former Sullivan Township the mill pond, across the road, is the former Holland Township. The mill was a grist mill until 1975.

Some shared memories of the mill.

A few shared the early Grey County books that they had brought with them. After the meeting, we were invited to view the historical displays and the thousands of books.